In late December, Thailand and Cambodia reached another ceasefire agreement, their third since their long-running border conflict escalated in mid-2025. While decisions made in Phnom Penh and Bangkok are the most important factor in the agreement and its longevity, both the United States and China have competed to position themselves as peacemaker. The US role – driven by Donald Trump’s ambition to mediate several international conflicts – has been relatively clear. Trump threatened higher tariffs on both trade-exposed Southeast Asian countries, helping to bring about the first ceasefire, signed in July. Trump has remained engaged since, attending the October signing of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords and speaking to the Thai and Cambodian prime ministers in December when fighting flared up again.
Peace the Asian way?: China’s role in the Thailand-Cambodia conflict | Lowy Institute
